Pilmico celebrates World Bread Day

Pilmico, a steadfast partner of bakers since 1962, have given out 108 bakery kits nationwide since they started distributing livelihood kits in 2016. To mark “World Bread Day,” Pilmico reflects on how it has helped change the lives of several people through bread.
The Kutitap Feeding Program started in Iligan City in 2015 and in Tarlac in 2018. Since then, the program has progressively evolved throughout the years, turning into “Kutitap Care Package,” during the pandemic restrictions.
Pilmico has also partnered with local government units such as the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) Tarlac for the “Tinapay Ti Uno” program in partnership with Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), and the Office of Congressman Jaime Cojuangco from the 1st District of Tarlac Province.
This program aims to create healthy buns using locally sourced ingredients from Agrarian Reform Beneficiary Organizations (ARBOs) and provide them to public school students in the 1st district of Tarlac.
In celebration of “World Bread Day,” Pilmico emphasizes its unwavering commitment to providing high-quality flour that helps create nutritional bread products.
Cebu Pacific partners with United Filipino Global

Cebu Pacific, the Philippines’ leading carrier, has partnered with United Filipino Global (UFG), a non-government organization that helps Filipino migrant workers, to collaborate on projects aimed at improving the welfare of overseas Filipino workers (OFW).
On October 27, CEB signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to provide free flights to select OFW beneficiaries and endorse potential scholarship grants to OFW children. The airline will also mount special flights to provide humanitarian assistance and transport to distressed OFWs in cases of natural disasters, emergencies and critical situations.
CEB will also organize information campaigns to update OFWs on safe and responsible air travel practices. The airline will likewise help OFW families and their children to participate in internship programs for aspiring flight crew and attendants.
CEB currently flies to 35 domestic and 25 international destinations spanning across Asia, Australia, and the Middle East.
Xendit XenConnect brings PH startups face-to-face with top investors

BOTTOM, the Xendit team (left) partnered with local Venture Capital Kickstart Ventures (right) to hold XenConnect, a speed dating-style networking event, to link PH-based startups with potential funders.
Global unicorn startup Xendit solidified its commitment to grow the Philippine startup industry by holding an in-person networking event that aims to give locally based startups a platform to reach industry-leading venture capitalists (VC).
The initiative called “XenConnect” brought together a total of 20 local and regional VC representatives and 35 startups that were meticulously pre-screened. The hopefuls were given set time to meet with their assigned VCs and make their pitch. The event closed with a casual networking session opened to the public to give all participants an opportunity to meet with like-minded people and explore ideas together.
Other VCs that joined include Foxmont Capital Partners, Pulse 63 Healthcare Ventures, MAIN.ph, Openspace Ventures, IdeaSpace Investments, Accion Venture Lab, Wavemaker Partners, Insignia Ventures Partners, Gentree Fund, Kaya Founders, Gobi Partners and Gobi-Core Philippine Fund, Plug and Play Tech Center, and Patamar Capital.
At the XenConnect Philippine Edition, which was conducted virtually, participants were given a forum to connect with regional VCs and conduct 1:1 online meetings. Due to overwhelming interest, it was extended to an in-person event held at the Kickstart Ventures office in Makati City.
Brother Philippines’ trade-in madness promotion returns to SM North EDSA
The most anticipated comeback of Brother Philippines’ Trade-In Madness Promotion Roadshow has landed in SM North EDSA for a week of eco-friendly upgrades and exclusive discounts. Customers will get a chance to trade in their old printers, typewriters, fax machines, or any all-in-one printing products — regardless of brand or operational condition for exclusive discounts when purchasing new Brother printers.
From October 25 to 31, customers can visit the Trade in Madness Booth in SM North EDSA and score up to 30% worth of discounts by bringing in working or non-working printers, fax machines, copiers, and scanners of any brand. Each registered participant can avail of a maximum of three transactions, and upgrade their current printing and digital imaging machines for a much lower price.
The Trade in Madness Promo also proudly aligns itself with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Emphasizing Brother’s core initiative of Resource Circulation, the campaign focused on waste reduction and minimization in its operations.
Customers and users may visit the Trade-in Madness Promotion Booth in SM North EDSA Cyberzone from October 25 to 31. Simultaneously, the trade-in is also available in different locations such as Davao Digital Interface, SM City Clark, and SM City Daet, with more locations in the coming weeks.
Mondelez Philippines, Ateneo de Manila University celebrate Pride
With its mission to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), Mondelez Philippines continues to show its support for the community through #ProudToBeMe, Proud To Be Blue – a talk that aimed to empower LGBTQIA+ students to reach their full potential. The snacking company participated in the school’s annual pride event held at Leong Hall, Ateneo de Manila University with a focus on fostering safer spaces for LGBTQIA+ students, all through a fun and interactive session.
Mondelez Philippines is celebrated for its 60 years as one of the leading snacking companies in the country. While the company is mostly known for its brands like Tang, Cheez Whiz, Oreo, as well as Toblerone and Cadbury Dairy Milk, Mondelez Philippines is also lauded for its efforts to constantly empower both its consumers and employees through its DEI initiatives.
The company also prides itself in being the first country in its Southeast Asian business unit to have a gender-neutral restroom and a DEI policy, a testament to its goal of providing safe spaces for its people and guests.
Established in 2018, the Ateneo Sanggunian Commission on Gender Equality (CGE) champions gender-based issues with a nuanced and critical awareness towards progressive reforms inside and outside of the campus.
Manulife and MCBL receive Golden Arrow Awards

Manulife Philippines and Manulife China Bank Life Assurance Corporation (MCBL) recently won Golden Arrow Awards from the Institute of Corporate Directors (ICD) for their exemplary performance in corporate governance based on the 2022 ASEAN Corporate Governance Scorecard (ACGS) and Corporate Governance Scorecard (CGS) Assessment Results.
The ACGS is an ASEAN-wide rating system that evaluates company performance across key areas, including promotion of shareholder rights and fair treatment, stakeholders’ interactions, transparency and accountability, and board’s effectiveness in guiding the company’s strategy, overseeing management, and being accountable to the company and its shareholders.
The ICD comprises over 500 ethical governance professionals in the ASEAN region united by a shared vision to revolutionize the corporate governance landscape, emphasizing the importance of corporate governance to lead better operational performance, ensure effective risk management, and contribute to a resilient economy.
IdeaSpace Foundation picks six startups for annual accelerator program

IdeaSpace Foundation, an MVP-backed accelerator, recently unveiled the six startups selected out of over a hundred applicants to join the next cohort of the flagship IdeaSpace Accelerator Program.
This milestone marked the 11th iteration of the IdeaSpace Accelerator Program, underscoring its commitment to nurturing the growth of the startup ecosystem in the Philippines.
The primary goal of the IdeaSpace Accelerator Program is to facilitate the swift expansion of promising technology-rooted startups. Functioning as a foundational support structure for emerging entrepreneurs, it operates on a hybrid model, providing participating startups a distinct opportunity to engage with investors, formulate business strategies, and glean insights from seasoned mentors and entrepreneurs.
With the theme of “PROPE11ING Filipino startups” this year, IdeaSpace stayed committed to expediting the growth of high-potential technology-based startups in the Philippines.
The six startups headlining Cohort 11 are: Hey Roomie, ITOOH Homestyle, kazam.ph, Kintab, Kippap Education, and Molinos de la Especia.
FedEx launches new Vietnam service improving transit to the Philippines

FedEx Express (FedEx), a subsidiary of FedEx Corp. and one of the world’s largest express transportation companies, is further enhancing its intercontinental services between Vietnam and the Philippines as well as other markets in Asia, Middle East, Africa (AMEA) and Europe, with the introduction of a new flight offering faster transit times.
From October 31, the new flight will use a dedicated B767 freighter flying four evenings a week from Ho Chi Minh City connecting Asia and Europe through the FedEx Asia Pacific Hub in Guangzhou, China. Exporters shipping from Southern Vietnam will benefit from faster transit times for shipments to the Philippines and major Asian markets in just one business day, and two business days to Europe.
These new flights offer additional capacity on top of the current five flights to Asia, Europe and the US — four daily morning flights through the FedEx South Pacific Hub in Singapore and one current evening flight through the Asia Pacific Hub. With a total of nine weekly flights departing from Ho Chi Minh City, FedEx continues to support businesses in tapping the huge growth potential in the region.